Skateboarding Legend Jay Adams Dies At 53

Legendary skateboarder Jay Adams, best known as one of the original Z-Boys in the 1970s, has passed away. He was just 53 years old.

He died late Thursday (August 14) from an apparent heart attack while on vacation in Mexico with his wife.

Adams and his wife had been there for three months. It was the first time in 20 years he was allowed to leave the country, due to past felony drug charges. Despite a long history of drug abuse, his family says he had been sober for months.

Fellow skate legend Stacy Peralta, one of the Z-Boys founding members, announced Adams' death on Instagram, posting a photo of him as a teen with the caption: "I just received the terribly sad news that Jay Adams passed away last night due to a massive heart attack, send your love."

Referred to as "The Original Seed" of skateboarding, Adams was considered one of the most influential skateboarders of all-time.

He was famously depicted by actor Emile Hirsch in the 2005 big screen biographical drama, Lords Of Dogtown.